Fall Spooktational Event Details!
The Tournament Schedule is as follows
8:30am Registration
8:50am General Meeting (Cafe)
9:00am Limited Prep Report to Creative Station
9:00am Judges Meeting (Media Center)
9:15am Round 1 Forensics
9:30am Round 1 Debate
10:15am Round 2 Forensics
10:30am Round 2 Debate
11:15-12:15pm Lunch *Pizza not arriving until closer to 11:30
12:15pm Round 3 Forensics
12:30pm Round 3 Debate
1:30pm Awards for Forensics & Debate Individual Speakers and announcement of Debate Final Round & Halloween Costume Award
2:00pm Final Round for Debate (students finished before this are free to leave!)
3:00pm Go home!
We will meet in the Cafe at 8:15, so I can check us in and get our room assignments for the day! Check out this document on Round Etiquette for how the day should go.
8:30am Registration
8:50am General Meeting (Cafe)
9:00am Limited Prep Report to Creative Station
9:00am Judges Meeting (Media Center)
9:15am Round 1 Forensics
9:30am Round 1 Debate
10:15am Round 2 Forensics
10:30am Round 2 Debate
11:15-12:15pm Lunch *Pizza not arriving until closer to 11:30
12:15pm Round 3 Forensics
12:30pm Round 3 Debate
1:30pm Awards for Forensics & Debate Individual Speakers and announcement of Debate Final Round & Halloween Costume Award
2:00pm Final Round for Debate (students finished before this are free to leave!)
3:00pm Go home!
We will meet in the Cafe at 8:15, so I can check us in and get our room assignments for the day! Check out this document on Round Etiquette for how the day should go.
Fall SPOOKtational is scheduled for 10/26!
The Roeper School and BCS have scheduled their October SPOOKtational tournament for October 26th! Details for this tournament are:
Who: YOU! (Roeper and BCS are hosting)
What: The SPOOKtational Tournament (Forensic categories and PF Debate)
Where: The Roeper School. 1051 Oakland Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009
When: Saturday, October 26th, 2019, time 8:15
Please let Ms. Scurti or Mrs. Sweeney know if you're competing in this tournament by Thursday, 10/17
Who: YOU! (Roeper and BCS are hosting)
What: The SPOOKtational Tournament (Forensic categories and PF Debate)
Where: The Roeper School. 1051 Oakland Ave, Birmingham, MI 48009
When: Saturday, October 26th, 2019, time 8:15
Please let Ms. Scurti or Mrs. Sweeney know if you're competing in this tournament by Thursday, 10/17
Limited Preparation Topics announced!
Topics for Limited Prep for the Fall 2019 season are as follows:
Broadcasting: Technology in Education
Impromptu: Inventions, Self-Reflection, and community
Extemporaneous: Digital Citizenship, Elections, Climate Change
Broadcasting: Technology in Education
Impromptu: Inventions, Self-Reflection, and community
Extemporaneous: Digital Citizenship, Elections, Climate Change
Are you a parent and interested in being a forensic judge?
Please let Ms. Scurti know! MIFA is currently revamping the certification process for middle level forensic- but we could always use help!
*Just a note* For every competition, a school must supply ONE JUDGE for every FIVE COMPETITORS. While, we can usually find judge volunteers, we have to pay $100 per judge if you can't provide enough judges for our school. If you are able, we appreciate parent volunteers and help. By taking a one hour "judge certification course" you could greatly help you team! Once I know more details, I will update this page to keep everyone informed!
*Just a note* For every competition, a school must supply ONE JUDGE for every FIVE COMPETITORS. While, we can usually find judge volunteers, we have to pay $100 per judge if you can't provide enough judges for our school. If you are able, we appreciate parent volunteers and help. By taking a one hour "judge certification course" you could greatly help you team! Once I know more details, I will update this page to keep everyone informed!
2019-2020 Information
Oct 26, 2019 BCS/Roeper SPOOKtational @ Roeper Middle and Upper School
Nov 16, 2019 Groves Falcon Debate Tournament @ Groves High School
Nov 23, 2019 Fall Middle Level State Tournament @ Birmingham Covington School
5/6 Categories: Storytelling, Duo, & Informative
Fall 2019-2020 Extemporaneous Topics
Nov 16, 2019 Groves Falcon Debate Tournament @ Groves High School
Nov 23, 2019 Fall Middle Level State Tournament @ Birmingham Covington School
5/6 Categories: Storytelling, Duo, & Informative
Fall 2019-2020 Extemporaneous Topics
- Digital Citizenship, Elections, Climate Change
- Inventions, Self-Reflection, and community
- Technology in education
View our Event Calendar
How the Forensic season is organized...
Weeks 1-2
Selecting a category
Weeks 3-5
Initial piece preparation
For both areas of performance, student should be beginning the memorization process.
Weeks 6- 10
Polishing (Revising and Editing)
During these weeks students will be working with their peers, coaches, and high school helpers to provide feedback for strengthening their speech.
Selecting a category
- Interp.- Select a category and piece.
- P.A.- Select a category and a topic. Begin research.
Weeks 3-5
Initial piece preparation
- Interp.- Work on cutting the piece, beginning character differentiation and blocking. Students should also write their introduction.
- Click the links attached to help you complete these tasks!
- P.A.- Beginning research and writing, including citations. Speech should be finished (and within the time requirements) by the end of week 5.
- Make sure to review the planning documents to help you with your specific category!
For both areas of performance, student should be beginning the memorization process.
Weeks 6- 10
Polishing (Revising and Editing)
During these weeks students will be working with their peers, coaches, and high school helpers to provide feedback for strengthening their speech.
- Interp- Perfecting the performances through clearer blocking, transitions and/or character differentiation. It may include rewriting the introduction to ensure it has all of the elements and enhances the understanding of the performance. We will make sure pieces are engaging performances for the audience.
- P.A.- Students will spend time revising and editing their pieces making sure their ideas are clearly conveyed and use multiple pieces of evidence from sources to help prove their points. Students will also spend time learning how to deliver their speeches in a clear and articulate way using space and visual aids to enhance the presentation.
Team Contract and Calendar
Students will receive a paper copy at our first meeting, but here is a handy digital copy as well!
Please complete the form below to become a team member!
Click here for Berkshire Forensic Registration
Welcome to Berkshire Forensic Team!
I am hopeful that many of you will decide to participate this year. Forensic is a form of competitive public speaking; we will attend at least one tournament this year at the end of November. We will compete against students from all over the state of Michigan!
During the fall months, we will be preparing for two Fall competitions. Students must bring a parent or guardian with them to the tournament.
Since we can only send 4 entries in each category, you will need to show a commitment to rehearsal time to be part of the group that represents Berkshire in competitions.
Please check the website- BerkshireForensic.weebly.com for descriptions of events. I will accept students and the piece they wish to present on a first-come, first-serve basis- so please make your decision as soon as possible. I will be happy to assist you in finding a piece to do, but you are more than welcome to locate a piece on your own; a piece you may find is often better than what I have!
We will have practice every Wednesday in room 110 from 3:10-4:30 and Thursday in room 110 from 3:10-4:30. We require that you attend at least ONE practice a week. There is some flexibility as to coaching times. See me if you have a special request or issues.
As we near the tournament(s), we may add additional practice time on Friday as well.
To participate we ask that you please pay a fee of $75.00 made out to Berkshire Middle School. This cost will include tournament fees, snacks during meetings, t-shirt and pre-tournament celebration (if this fee presents a hardship, please see me privately).
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Ms. Scurti at [email protected] or see Mrs. Cummins in room 217. I am looking forward to a successful fall season.
During the fall months, we will be preparing for two Fall competitions. Students must bring a parent or guardian with them to the tournament.
Since we can only send 4 entries in each category, you will need to show a commitment to rehearsal time to be part of the group that represents Berkshire in competitions.
Please check the website- BerkshireForensic.weebly.com for descriptions of events. I will accept students and the piece they wish to present on a first-come, first-serve basis- so please make your decision as soon as possible. I will be happy to assist you in finding a piece to do, but you are more than welcome to locate a piece on your own; a piece you may find is often better than what I have!
We will have practice every Wednesday in room 110 from 3:10-4:30 and Thursday in room 110 from 3:10-4:30. We require that you attend at least ONE practice a week. There is some flexibility as to coaching times. See me if you have a special request or issues.
As we near the tournament(s), we may add additional practice time on Friday as well.
To participate we ask that you please pay a fee of $75.00 made out to Berkshire Middle School. This cost will include tournament fees, snacks during meetings, t-shirt and pre-tournament celebration (if this fee presents a hardship, please see me privately).
If you have any questions or concerns, please email Ms. Scurti at [email protected] or see Mrs. Cummins in room 217. I am looking forward to a successful fall season.